Meet the Mets
The Mets have set their Opening Day rotation. We already knew that Freddy Peralta is slated to start on Opening Day, but he will be followed by David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Kodai Senga in that order.
Meanwhile, Sean Manaea, whose velocity has been down this spring, will be used in a piggyback role initially to start the season with the Mets expanding to a six-man rotation in mid-April if Manaea is pitching well. “I consider myself a starter,” Manaea said after manager Carlos Mendoza
announced the decision on Saturday morning. “To not be that is frustrating. But at the end of the day, I’m just going to let my pitching do the work in whatever capacity that is, and go from there.”
Will Sammon of The Athletic contributed three thoughts about the decision to have Manaea in the bullpen to start the season.
Mike Tauchman, who left yesterday’s game with a knee injury, will get an MRI to determine the severity of the issue, which will influence the Mets’ decision regarding the final bench spot on the roster.
One positive that came from yesterday’s spring training games was a home run by the slumping Mark Vientos.
The Mets optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse yesterday.
Around the National League East
Dylan Moore, who triggered his opt-out clause with the Phillies on March 19, has been signed to a major league deal by Philadelphia. He will be on their Opening Day roster.
The Braves released non-roster invitee Kyle Nelson, who was an unlikely candidate to make the Braves bullpen.
Battery Power made their final 2026 Braves Opening Day roster projection.
The Nationals released former Met Drew Smith, who they had signed to a minor league deal this winter.
Spencer Nusbaum did a deep dive into the metrics the Nationals are using to track how their pitchers are performing this spring, as well as all the data their hitters can now access.
Both Kyle Stowers and Esteury Ruiz are undergoing testing after leaving Friday night’s split squad games due to injuries.
Around Major League Baseball
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com ranked the ten best pitching staffs in baseball and the Mets rounded out his list at number 10.
The Pirates reassigned top prospect Konnor Griffin to minor league camp yesterday.
MLB.com surveyed the players regarding who they think will be the best at ABS challenges this season. Not surprisingly, Juan Soto was at the top of the list.
“I understand that with Opening Day a few days away, I don’t want it to be a distraction,” Randy Arozarena said in a statement, via the Mariners. “Cal [Raleigh] and I have talked and I apologized for what I said after the game. Nothing in the WBC takes away from the fact that we are brothers and teammates. He’s family, and we are both focused on helping the Mariners win the World Series.”
Michael Conforto had made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Brian Salvatore discussed the uncertainty surrounding Jorge Polanco at first base in Polanco’s season preview.
Linus Lawrence continued his Mets Madness Out of the Park Baseball tournament with the Round of 32.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1962, the Mets and Yankees faced off for the very first time.
